9 Tips to Help You Learn About Queer History + Resources

Start broad; queer history is vast

Start with broad resources like encyclopedias, dictionaries, and textbooks. These will help you become more comfortable with the subject, give you a better understanding, and make it easier to figure out what you want to focus on.

Have a question in mind

Let the question take you in unexpected directions. If you feel lost or overwhelmed, let it direct you and get back on track.

Figure out the scope of your question

What is it you want to know?

How much info do you need?

Do you want to focus on an era? A culture? A movement? A single person?

Figure out the best way to find your info

Interviews, videos, books, research journals, events, and personal accounts can all be great ways to research and answer your question. Every method has its own pros, cons, and appropriate scenarios.

For example, videos and interviews would be a great way to learn about a 20th century gay trans activist, but not a great way to learn about a 3rd century trans priestess.

Mine bibliographies

Start, don’t end, with Wikipedia. Wikipedia isn’t a source, but it’s a great place to start. use their references to guide you.

Deal with one piece at a time

Avoid jumping between sources while researching. You’ll get more out of both resources if you take the time to fully read and digest them one by one.

Try to find primary sources, when applicable

This is an artifact, document, diary, manuscript, autobiography, recording, or any other source of information that was created at the time under study.

Get to know your sources

Rather than giving a resource a brief once-over before adding it to an ever-expanding list, read through it thoroughly. What answers does this resource give you? How does it relate to your big question?

This also gives you the opportunity to let your research guide you, rather than trying to make all of the info you find work together later.

Carry an idea book

This is especially true if you're researching for academic or professional reasons, but it holds true for all. If you think of a question or a topic that interests you, it's great to have a dedicated place you know you'll remember. You can create a note on your phone if that works better for you.